Man Utd's transfer plans: Next steps of Ten Hag's overhaul revealed

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
• 4 min read

Exclusive

Erik ten Hag's Manchester United revolution is slowly picking up pace and is set to continue through the next two transfer windows, with the next steps already planned.

There is an ambition to become better sellers and emulate the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City. A huge onus has gone into the quality of the academy so the club can develop stars and draw on hefty fees in the future, which they can invest back into the first team.

Man Utd have given their coach a bigger hand in recruitment and he works closely with football director John Murtagh.

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Unlike Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, new players have not been brought in over the Dutchman’s head. The Norwegian did not want the likes of Donny van de Beek and Amad Diallo, but the club actioned the move for them in any case.

The club have started to recognise that they must hand power to those in the dugout, which is why a mass exodus is expected in 2023.

As FootballTransfers reported in the summer, some 10 or 11 players will be given the boot to make way for players who suit the Ten Hag blueprint.

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Man Utd players under threat

Harry Maguire, for example, has foreign interest. Antony Elanga could be sold but with a buyback clause. Fred, Brandon Williams, Facundo Pellistri, Phil Jones, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Tahith Chong, Facundo Pellistri and Scott McTominay are some of the names who the manager does not see a huge future with the club.

Jadon Sancho has question marks over him, too. He is a player who shows glimpses and then seems to buckle when the going gets tough. They want to keep him given his age but he needs to give more.

As we reported previously, Man Utd like Cody Gakpo and may issue a move in the winter window given the level of interest from other clubs. But they really want to wait until the summer and see if he’s needed or not. If they go for him in January, the feeling is that he will choose them

But the priority is the right-back at the moment. Jeremie Frimpong is being watched. If there is no move for a player in January, it is thought Victor Lindelof can take up the spot to supplement Diogo Dalot, who has been one of their best performers. The club have already put a contract proposal on the table for the defender, but he has interest from AC Milan, Roma, and Juventus.

Though the suggestion is that the Glazers are unwilling to spend this January window, the prospect of the club missing out on their top targets and not appeasing their manager would lead to catastrophe.

This article is part three of a three-part series about Man Utd's plans in the transfer market.